CN117529942A

CN117529942A - Channel occupancy time sharing for transmission in unlicensed bands

Info

Publication number: CN117529942A
Application number: CN202180098918.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 陶涛; 季靓海; N·M·基莱里希·普拉塔斯; 于�玲; V·范潘; 刘勇; 郑迺铮
Original assignee: Nokia Shanghai Bell Co Ltd; Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy
Current assignee: Nokia Shanghai Bell Co Ltd; Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy
Priority date: 2021-06-03
Filing date: 2021-06-03
Publication date: 2024-02-06
Also published as: WO2022252196A1

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to devices, methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable storage media for COT sharing for transmission in unlicensed frequency bands. The method comprises the following steps: generating assistance information associated with the COT initiated by the first device, the assistance information being used by the second device to determine whether the COT is allowed for transmission by the second device; and transmitting the assistance information to the second device. In this way, in unlicensed spectrum, the COT sharing mechanism may be supported without any packets for side link transmission. At the same time, efficient channel access may be achieved to ensure co-existence fairness to other devices and systems.

Description

Channel occupancy time sharing for transmission in unlicensed bands

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of telecommunications and, in particular, relate to an apparatus, method, device, and computer-readable storage medium for Channel Occupation Time (COT) sharing for transmissions in an unlicensed frequency band.

Background

Support for NR-based access to unlicensed spectrum is introduced in release 16. NR operation in the unlicensed band depends on the transmitting device perceiving radio resources before starting transmission. One such sensing technique is known as LBT.

In complex industrial scenarios, side link communications in unlicensed spectrum may provide potential benefits such as coverage extension, reliability enhancement, and low latency. Thus, research into unlicensed side link communication has been recently discussed.

Disclosure of Invention

In general, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide solutions for COT sharing for transmission in unlicensed bands.

In a first aspect, a first device is provided. The first device includes: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the first device at least to: generating assistance information associated with the COT initiated by the first device, the assistance information being used by the second device to determine whether the COT is allowed for transmission by the second device; and transmitting the assistance information to the second device.

In a second aspect, a second device is provided. The second device includes: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the second device to at least: receiving, from the first device, assistance information associated with the COT initiated by the first device, the assistance information being used by the second device to determine whether the COT is allowed for transmission by the second device; and in accordance with a determination that the COT is allowed for transmission, performing transmission within the COT.

In a third aspect, a method is provided. The method comprises the following steps: generating assistance information associated with the COT initiated by the first device, the assistance information being used by the second device to determine whether the COT is allowed for transmission by the second device; and transmitting the assistance information to the second device.

In a fourth aspect, a method is provided. The method comprises the following steps: receiving, from the first device, assistance information associated with the COT initiated by the first device, the assistance information being used by the second device to determine whether the COT is allowed for transmission by the second device; and in accordance with a determination that the COT is allowed for transmission, performing transmission within the COT.

In a fifth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: generating auxiliary information associated with the COT initiated by the first device, the auxiliary information being used by the second device to determine whether the COT is allowed for transmission by the second device; and means for transmitting the assistance information to the second device.

In a sixth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: means for receiving, from the first device, assistance information associated with the COT initiated by the first device, the assistance information being used by the second device to determine whether the COT is allowed for transmission by the second device; and means for performing a transmission within the COT in accordance with determining that the COT is allowed for the transmission.

In a seventh aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium having stored thereon a computer program which, when executed by at least one processor of a device, causes the device to perform a method according to the third aspect.

In an eighth aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by at least one processor of a device, causes the device to perform a method according to the fourth aspect.

Other features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of the specific embodiments, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the embodiments of the disclosure.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present disclosure are presented by way of example and advantages thereof will be explained in more detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example environment in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;

fig. 2 shows a signaling diagram illustrating a COT sharing procedure for transmission in an unlicensed band according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig. 3 illustrates a flowchart of an example method for COT sharing for transmission in an unlicensed band, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 4 illustrates a flowchart of an example method of COT sharing for transmission in an unlicensed band, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a device suitable for implementing exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; and

fig. 6 illustrates a block diagram of an example computer-readable medium, according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

The same or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like elements.

Detailed Description

Principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are described merely for the purpose of illustrating and helping those skilled in the art understand and practice the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. The disclosure described herein may be implemented in various other ways besides those described below.

In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

References in the present disclosure to "one embodiment", "an example embodiment (an example embodiment)", etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an example embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

It will be understood that, although the terms "first" and "second," etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish between functions of the various elements. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," comprising, "" includes, "" including, "" having, "" includes, "" including, "" containing, "" and/or "containing" when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following:

(a) Hardware-only circuit implementations (such as analog-only and/or digital circuitry-only implementations), and

(b) A combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as (as applicable):

(i) Combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuit(s) and software/firmware, and

(ii) Any portion of the hardware processor(s), including digital signal processors, software, and memory(s) having software, which work together to cause a device, such as a mobile phone or server,

and

(c) Hardware circuit(s) and/or processor(s), such as microprocessor(s) or a portion of microprocessor(s), that require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but software may not be present when operation is not required.

This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As another example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also encompasses hardware-only circuitry or a processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of hardware circuitry or a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware implementations. The term circuitry also encompasses (e.g., and if applicable to the particular claim element) a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device, or a similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

As used herein, the term "communication network" refers to a network that conforms to any suitable communication standard, such as a fifth generation (5G) system, long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-advanced (LTE-a), wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), high Speed Packet Access (HSPA), narrowband internet of things (NB-IoT), and so forth. Furthermore, communication between a terminal device and a network device in a communication network may be performed according to any suitable generation communication protocol, including, but not limited to, first generation (1G), second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, fifth generation (5G) communication protocols, and/or any other protocols currently known or developed in the future. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied in various communication systems. In view of the rapid development of communications, there will of course also be future types of communication technologies and systems that can implement the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure should not be considered limited to only the systems described above.

As used herein, the term "network device" refers to a node in a communication network via which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services from the network. A network device may refer to a Base Station (BS) or an Access Point (AP), e.g., a node B (NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), a NR next generation NodeB (gNB), a Remote Radio Unit (RRU), a Radio Head (RH), a Remote Radio Head (RRH), a relay, a low power node (such as femto, pico), etc., depending on the terminology and technology applied. The RAN split architecture includes a gNB-CU (centralized unit, hosting RRC, SDAP, and PDCP) that controls multiple gNB-DUs (distributed units, hosting RLC, MAC, and PHY). The relay node may correspond to the DU portion of the IAB node.

The term "terminal device" refers to any terminal device capable of wireless communication. By way of example and not limitation, a terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, user Equipment (UE), subscriber Station (SS), portable subscriber station, mobile Station (MS), or Access Terminal (AT). The terminal devices may include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, cellular phones, smart phones, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, tablet computers, wearable terminal devices, personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), portable computers, desktop computers, image capture terminal devices (such as digital cameras), gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback devices, in-vehicle wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop computer embedded devices (LEEs), laptop computer installed devices (LMEs), USB dongles, smart devices, wireless client devices (CPE), internet of things (IoT)) devices, wristwatches or other wearable devices, head Mounted Displays (HMDs), vehicles, drones, medical devices and applications (e.g., tele-surgery), industrial devices and applications (e.g., robots and/or other wireless devices operating in an industrial and/or automated processing chain environment), consumer electronics devices, devices operating on a commercial and/or industrial wireless network, and the like. The term device may also correspond to a Mobile Terminal (MT) part of an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node (also referred to as a relay node). In the following description, the terms "terminal device", "communication device", "terminal", "user equipment" and "UE" may be used interchangeably.

Although in various example embodiments, the functionality described herein may be performed in fixed and/or wireless network nodes, in other example embodiments, the functionality may be implemented in a user equipment device (such as a cellular handset or tablet or laptop or desktop or mobile IoT device or fixed IoT device). For example, the user equipment device may be equipped with the respective functions described in connection with the fixed and/or wireless network node(s), as the case may be. The user equipment device may be a user equipment and/or a control device, such as a chipset or a processor, which is configured to control the user equipment when the user equipment is installed therein. Examples of such functions include a bootstrapping server function and/or a home subscriber server, which may be implemented in a user equipment device by providing the user equipment device with software configured to cause the user equipment device to perform from the perspective of the functions/nodes.

As described above, NR operation in the unlicensed band may rely on a transmitting device to perceive radio resources, such as LBT procedures, before starting transmission. Especially for side-link communication in unlicensed spectrum, integrated Listen Before Talk (LBT) mechanisms are considered to enable side-link communication in unlicensed spectrum.

Generally, there are two major types of LBT mechanisms, namely frame-based devices (FBEs) and load-based devices (LBEs). In FBE, channel sensing is performed at a fixed point in time; if the channel is busy, the transmitting device may fall back for a fixed period of time and perceive the channel again after that period of time. In the LBE method, channel sensing is performed at any point in time, and if the channel is found to be busy, a random backoff is performed.

More specifically, different types of LBT procedures (such as type 1LBT, type 2A/2BLBT, and type 2C LBT) are defined as NR-based access to unlicensed spectrum.

LBT type 1, also referred to as LBT class 4 (LBT cat.4), is always used by the initiating device whenever the initiating device has no pre-existing COT for the responding device.

LBT type 2A and LBT type 2B, also referred to as LBT class 2 (LBT cat.2), may be used in different situations. It is a form of single or "fast" LBT. LBT class 2 is used if the initiating device and the responding device share COT, but the interval between transmissions is greater than 16 us.

Furthermore, LBT type 2C, also referred to as LBT class 1 (LBT cat.1), may be used if the COT is acquired by other nodes. For example, if the initiating device shares a COT with the responding device, and if the responding device uses the opportunity for up to 16us, then there is no need to perform LBT again. COT has the longest duration specified in regulations.

Further, LBT type 1 is defined as channel sequential awareness of the device for at least N Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) intervals. Once a channel is declared idle, the perceiving/initiating device may access the channel for the longest time, also known as MCOT. During this time, the perceiving device may grant access to the responding device, which may grant access to the served UE, and rely on channel COT sharing. Under the COT sharing condition, the responding UE is allowed to access the channel by performing type 2 LBT.

The critical COT sharing policy is that the initiating device may perform cat.4lbt to acquire the COT and then the responding device (based on the grant from the initiating device) only requires to perform a CCA of 16us or 25 μs (or even no LBT under certain conditions) prior to its transmission during the COT. The main advantage of COT sharing is to reduce LBT latency and LBT overhead at the responding device.

Fig. 1 illustrates an example communication network 100 in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. As shown in fig. 1, communication network 100 may include terminal device 100 and terminal devices 120-1 through 120-4. Terminal device 120-1 through UE 120-3 may be located within perceived coverage 102 of terminal device 110 and terminal device 120-4 may be located outside perceived coverage 102 of terminal device 110.

In the communication network 100, the terminal device 110 may be regarded as a COT-initiating device by performing cat.4lbt or cat.2lbt, e.g. in case of LBR or FBE, respectively. Hereinafter, the terminal device 110 may be referred to as an originating UE 110 or a first device 110. Terminal devices 120-1 through 120-4 (which may act as COT response devices) are capable of performing transmissions within the COT initiated by UE 110. Hereinafter, the terminal devices 120-1 to 120-4 may be collectively referred to as the responding UE 120 or the second device 120.

It should be understood that the number of terminal devices shown in fig. 1 is for illustration purposes only and is not meant to be limiting. Communication network 100 may include any suitable number of terminal devices.

It should be appreciated that communication network 100 may also include network devices (not shown). The network device may communicate with terminal devices 110, and 120-1 through 120-4. The network device may also be considered a COT provider, or an originating device of the terminal device 100 and 120-1 to 120-4.

In general, the initiating device may apply a particular energy detection threshold to detect channel availability and acquire the COT before attempting to perform channel access. The specific energy detection threshold may protect a specific area where strong interference is not detected to occur while ensuring that transmissions from the initiating device cannot cause high interference to other devices outside the area. Thus, devices within the perceived coverage of the initiating device may share the COT.

The COT shared information from the initiating device may be received by multiple responding devices that sense/monitor the side link channel. In addition, control information carrying COT shared information is generally extremely audible to peripheral devices. Thus, devices that are far away can also receive such COT sharing information.

For example, referring to fig. 1, if UE 120-4 is located outside the perceived/protected coverage of the initiating device (i.e., UE 100 shares the COT initiated by UE 110), transmissions from UE 120-4 may create high interference to other devices/systems. This violates the basic principle behind COT sharing.

Thus, it is contemplated that the responding device may determine whether the COT initiated by the initiating device is allowed for transmission by the responding UE without the need to predefine a group or cluster of COT shares.

The present disclosure provides a solution for COT sharing. In this solution, the initiating UE may generate assistance information associated with the COT initiated by the initiating UE. The assistance information may be used for the responding UE to determine whether the COT is allowed for transmission by the responding UE. The initiating UE may send assistance information to the responding UE. The responding UE may determine whether the COT is allowed for transmission by the responding UE based on the assistance information and the corresponding measurements. If the responding UE determines that the COT is allowed for transmission by the responding UE, the responding UE may perform transmission within the COT.

In this way, in unlicensed spectrum, the COT sharing mechanism may be supported without any grouping of transmissions. At the same time, efficient channel access may be achieved to ensure co-existence fairness to other devices and systems.

Principles and implementations of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to fig. 2, which shows an exemplary process of COT sharing. For discussion purposes, process 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. Process 200 may involve initiating UE 100 and responding UE 120 illustrated in fig. 1.

Hereinafter, the solution of COT sharing in unlicensed spectrum presented in the present disclosure may be described with the scenario of side link transmission in unlicensed spectrum. It should be appreciated that the solution for COT sharing in unlicensed spectrum presented in the present disclosure may not be limited to side link transmission scenarios. Any other communication scenario may also apply the COT sharing solution in unlicensed spectrum presented in the present disclosure. For example, in a scenario where the COT initiator device is a network device.

As described above, initiating UE 110 may perform an LBT procedure to obtain the COT. Initiating UE 110 may generate and broadcast the COT sharing information to a plurality of corresponding UEs.

Initiating UE 110 may also determine COT sharing criteria to help the responding UE determine whether the COT initiated by initiating UE 110 is allowed for transmission by the responding UE. Hereinafter, the criterion may be referred to as auxiliary information associated with the COT.

As shown in fig. 2, initiating UE 110 generates 205 assistance information.

In some example embodiments, the assistance information may relate to a signal quality threshold that may be used by the responding UE to determine whether the responding UE is allowed to share the COT. For example, the signal quality threshold may be referred to as a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) threshold.

In one option, initiating UE 110 may determine the signal quality threshold based on an Energy Detection Threshold (EDT) used during channel access by initiating UE 110. For example, if EDT is high, the signal quality threshold may be low. If EDT is low, the signal quality threshold may be higher.

As another option, initiating UE 110 may determine a signal quality threshold based on the transmit power of the transmission. This transmission may be referred to as a side chain transmission between initiating UE 110 and responding UE 120.

In some example embodiments, initiating UE 110 may determine a range within which the responding UE may be allowed to use the COT of the responding UE's transmissions. In this case, the assistance information may relate to a perceived range of the initiating UE 110 associated with the COT sharing.

In one option, initiating UE 110 may determine the perceived range based on EDT associated with the transmit power of the transmission of initiating UE 110. For example, if EDT is high, perceived coverage is large. However, if EDT is low, perceived coverage is small.

As another option, the perceived range may be determined based on a positional relationship between the initiating UE 110 and a desired communication target of the initiating UE 110. For example, the perceived range should at least cover the communication target. As shown in fig. 1, if the responding UE 120-1 is a communication target of the initiating UE 110, the initiating UE 110 may determine the sensing range based on a positional relationship between the initiating UE 110 and the responding UE 120-1. The positional relationship or distance between the initiating UE 110 and the desired communication target may be determined based on location information received from the desired communication target, such as a region Identification (ID) of the desired communication target, or based on a time of arrival (ToA) or Round Trip Time (RTT) distance measurement between the initiating UE 110 and the desired communication target.

Alternatively, initiating UE 110 may determine the perceived range by considering another perceived coverage of other COT providers (i.e., other initiating UEs). If initiating UE 110 receives information about another COT initiated by another initiating UE, initiating UE 110 may determine a sensing range based on another sensing range of the other initiating UE to avoid overlap between the two sensing ranges.

Initiating UE 110 may also determine the perceived range based on location information of surrounding UEs, such as a region ID. Location information of the surrounding UEs may be received from side link control information (SCI) and/or data payloads may be received from these surrounding UEs. Based on the location information of the surrounding UEs, initiating UE 110 may estimate the sensing range.

In some example embodiments, initiating UE 110 may generate the assistance information based on a channel busy ratio (BSR) determined by initiating UE 110. Initiating UE 110 may determine a signal quality threshold or a perceived range associated with the COT sharing based on the channel busy ratio and thus generate assistance information based on the signal quality threshold or the perceived range associated with the COT sharing. For example, where the level of CBR is higher, initiating UE 110 may determine a smaller range of COT sharing, or a higher signal quality threshold.

Alternatively, initiating UE 110 may generate assistance information that includes the results of the CBR measurements instead of determining the corresponding criteria based on the results. Responding UE 120 may determine whether the COT initiated by initiating UE 110 is allowed for transmission by responding UE 120 itself based on the results of the CBR measurements.

Initiating UE 110 may also determine a corresponding LBT type for a plurality of time slots within the COT initiated by initiating UE 110. For example, LBT type 2C may be used for certain specific time slots within the COT. For example, initiating UE 110 may determine the time slots in which LBT type 2C may be applied based on criteria observed at initiating device 110 (such as RSSI level or resource pool CBR), or based on a request by an intended responding device.

In some example embodiments, initiating UE 110 may determine an association between respective listen-before-talk types of a plurality of time slots within the COT and a set of reference signal quality thresholds and generate assistance information based on the association. Alternatively, initiating UE 110 may also determine an association between respective listen-before-talk types of the plurality of time slots within the COT and a reference set of sensing ranges of the first device associated with the COT sharing and generate the assistance information based on the association.

As shown in fig. 2, after generating the assistance information, initiating UE 110 sends 210 the assistance information to responding UE 120. Then, responding UE 120 may determine 215 whether the COT initiated by initiating UE 110 is allowed for transmission by responding UE 120 based on criteria derived from the assistance information, and corresponding measurements performed at responding UE 120.

In some example embodiments, responding UE 120 may obtain the signal quality threshold from the assistance information. The responding UE 120 may determine an actual signal quality of a reference signal (such as a DMRS) received from the initiating UE 110 and compare the actual signal quality to a signal quality threshold. If the responding UE 120 determines that the actual signal quality exceeds the signal quality threshold, the responding UE 120 may determine that COT is allowed for transmission by the responding UE 120.

In some example embodiments, responding UE 120 may obtain the perceived range associated with the COT sharing from the assistance information. In this case, the responding UE 120 may determine a positional relationship between the responding UE 120 and the initiating UE 110 to determine whether the responding UE 120 is within a sensing range. Also, the positional relationship between the responding UE 120 and the initiating UE 110 may be determined based on the area ID information of the responding UE 120 and the initiating UE 110, or based on ToA or RTT measurements between the responding UE 120 and the initiating UE 110. If the responding UE 120 is within the sensing range, the responding UE 120 may determine that COT is allowed for transmission by the responding UE 120.

In some example embodiments, responding UE 120 may obtain priority information associated with the COT, e.g., from the SCI. The priority information may also help the responding UE 120 determine whether the COT is allowed for transmission by the responding UE 120 along with the assistance information.

For example, if the responding UE 120 acquires criteria regarding signal quality or a perceived range associated with COT sharing from the assistance information, and determines that the condition of the responding UE 120 cannot meet the criteria. However, if responding UE 120 determines that, for example, the COT is configured to have a high priority value, responding UE 120 may consider the COT with a lower RSRP and/or a greater range as valid.

Alternatively, the mapping between the respective reference priority values and the set of reference signal quality thresholds or the set of reference perceived ranges associated with the COT sharing may be preconfigured for both the responding UE 120 and the initiating UE 110. When responding UE 120 receives priority information associated with the COT, responding UE 120 may obtain a target priority value for the COT and determine a corresponding target signal quality threshold or target perceived range associated with the COT sharing. Responding UE 120 may determine whether or not COT is allowed for transmission by responding UE 120 based on a target signal quality threshold or target perceived range associated with COT sharing, and other criteria regarding signal quality or perceived range associated with COT sharing obtained from the assistance information. By using the priority information, finer control of the COT sharing information based on different conditions of different responding UEs is realized.

As described above, the assistance information may include CBR measurements of initiating UE 110. Based on the result of CBR measurement of the assistance information, the responding UE 120 may also determine whether COT is allowed for transmission by the responding UE 120. For example, if the channel busy ratio is less than the threshold ratio, responding UE 120 may determine that COT is allowed for transmission.

If responding UE 120 determines that the COT is allowed for transmission, responding UE 120 may perform the transmission within the COT.

In some example embodiments, the assistance information may include a mapping between respective listen-before-talk types associated with the COTs and a set of reference signal quality thresholds. Responding UE 120 may determine a target LBT type to be used for a pre-transmission LBT procedure within the COT.

For example, responding UE 120 may determine an actual signal quality of a reference signal (e.g., DMRS) received from initiating UE 110 and determine a target listen-before-talk type to be used for the LBT procedure based on the mapping and the actual signal quality.

In some example embodiments, the assistance information may also include a mapping between respective listen-before-talk types associated with the COTs and a set of reference perception ranges associated with the COT sharing. Similarly, the responding UE 120 may determine a positional relationship between the responding UE 120 and the initiating UE 120 and determine a target listen-before-talk type to be used for the LBT procedure based on the mapping and the positional relationship between the responding UE 120 and the initiating UE 110.

If responding UE 120 determines that LBT type 2C cannot be applied to COT, responding UE 120 may also determine that COT is not suitable for transmission by responding UE 120 and therefore COT is not allowed for transmission by responding UE 120.

In this way, in unlicensed spectrum, the COT sharing mechanism may be supported without any packets for side link transmission. At the same time, efficient channel access may be achieved to ensure co-existence fairness to other devices and systems.

Fig. 3 illustrates a flowchart of an example method 300 of COT sharing for transmission in an unlicensed band, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 300 may be implemented at a first device 110 as shown in fig. 1. For discussion purposes, the method 300 may be described with reference to FIG. 1.

At 310, the first device generates assistance information associated with a channel occupancy time, COT, initiated by the first device. The assistance information is used by the second device to determine whether the COT is allowed for transmission by the second device.

In some example embodiments, the first device may determine the signal threshold quality based on at least one of an energy detection threshold used for a channel access procedure associated with the first device, and a transmit power associated with another transmission by the first device. The first device may also generate assistance information based on the signal quality threshold.

In some example embodiments, the first device may determine a perceived range of the first device associated with the COT share based on an energy detection threshold associated with a transmit power of another transmission of the first device, and generate the assistance information based on the perceived range of the first device associated with the COT share.

In some example embodiments, if the first device determines that the second device is a communication target of the first device, the first device may determine a perception range of the first device associated with the COT share based on the location of the second device and generate the assistance information based on the perception range of the first device associated with the COT share.

In some example embodiments, if the first device determines that the first device receives information about another COT initiated by the third device, the first device may determine a perception range of the first device associated with the COT share based on another perception range of the third device and generate the assistance information based on the perception range of the first device associated with the COT share.

In some example embodiments, the first device may determine a respective location of the at least one second device based on the region identification information of the at least one second device, and determine a perceived range of the first device associated with the COT share based on the respective location. The first device may also generate the assistance information based on a perceived range of the first device associated with the COT share.

In some example embodiments, a first device may determine a channel busy ratio of the first device; and determining at least one of a channel quality threshold or a perceived range associated with the COT sharing based on the channel busy ratio.

In some example embodiments, the first device may determine a channel busy ratio of the first device and generate the assistance information based on the channel busy ratio.

In some example embodiments, the first device may determine a mapping between respective listen-before-talk types associated with the COTs and at least one of a set of reference signal quality thresholds or a set of reference perception ranges of the first device associated with the COT sharing; and based on the mapping, generating auxiliary information.

At 320, the first device transmits assistance information to the second device.

In some example embodiments, the first device comprises a terminal device and the second device comprises a terminal device.

Fig. 4 illustrates a flowchart of an example method 400 for COT sharing for transmission in an unlicensed band, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 400 may be implemented at the second device 120 as shown in fig. 1. For discussion purposes, the method 400 may be described with reference to fig. 1.

At 410, the second device receives assistance information associated with the COT initiated by the first device from the first device. The assistance information is used by the second device to determine whether the COT is allowed for transmission by the second device.

In some example embodiments, the second device may obtain a signal quality threshold from the assistance information and determine an actual signal quality of the reference signal received from the first device. If the second device determines that the actual signal quality exceeds the signal quality threshold, it determines that COT is allowed for transmission.

In some example embodiments, the second device obtains a perception range of the first device associated with the COT share from the assistance information and determines a positional relationship between the first device and the second device. Based on the positional relationship, if the second device determines that the second device is within the sensing range, it is determined that the COT is allowed for transmission.

In some example embodiments, the second device may obtain a mapping between respective reference priority values and a set of reference signal quality thresholds and determine a target priority value associated with the COT. The second device may determine a perceived range of the first device associated with the COT share based on the target priority value and the mapping.

In some example embodiments, the second device may obtain the channel busy ratio of the first device from the assistance information. If the second device determines that the channel busy ratio is less than the threshold ratio, the second device may determine that COT is allowed for transmission.

At 420, if the second device determines that the COT is allowed for transmission, the second device performs transmission within the COT.

In some example embodiments, the second device may obtain, from the assistance information, a mapping between respective listen-before-talk types associated with the COTs and a set of reference signal quality thresholds, and determine an actual signal quality of the reference signal received from the first device. The second device may also determine a target listen-before-talk type of the second device to be used for the COT based on the mapping and the actual signal quality; and performs a listen-before-talk procedure based on the target listen-before-talk type prior to transmission.

In some example embodiments, the second device obtains, from the assistance information, a mapping between respective listen-before-talk types associated with the COT and a set of reference perception ranges of the first device associated with the COT sharing, and determines a positional relationship between the first device and the second device. The second device may also determine a target listen-before-talk type of the second device to be used for the COT based on the mapping and the actual signal quality; and performs a listen-before-talk procedure based on the target listen-before-talk type prior to transmission.

In some example embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing the method 300 (e.g., implemented at the initiating UE 110) may include means for performing the respective steps of the method 300. The component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in circuitry or software modules.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for generating assistance information associated with a COT initiated by a first device, the assistance information being used by a second device to determine whether the COT is allowed for transmission by the second device; and means for transmitting the assistance information to the second device.

In some example embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing the method 400 (e.g., implemented at the initiating UE 120) may include means for performing the respective steps of the method 400. The component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in circuitry or software modules.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for receiving, from a first device, assistance information associated with a COT initiated by the first device, the assistance information being used by a second device to determine whether the COT is allowed for transmission by the second device; and means for performing a transmission within the COT in accordance with determining that the COT is allowed for the transmission.

Fig. 5 is a simplified block diagram of an apparatus 500 suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. Device 500 may be provided to implement a communication device, e.g., initiating UE 110 and responding UE 120 as shown in fig. 1. As shown, the device 500 includes one or more processors 500, one or more memories 540 coupled to the processor 510, and one or more transmitters and/or receivers (TX/RX) 540 coupled to the processor 510.

TX/RX 540 is used for two-way communication. TX/RX 540 has at least one antenna to facilitate communication. The communication interface may represent any interface required to communicate with other network elements.

Processor 510 may be of any type suitable for a local technology network, and as a non-limiting example, processor 510 may include one or more of the following: general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital Signal Processors (DSPs), and processors based on a multi-core processor architecture. The device 500 may have multiple processors, such as an application specific integrated circuit chip that is slaved in time to a clock that is synchronized to the master processor.

Memory 520 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of non-volatile memory include, but are not limited to, read-only memory (ROM) 524, electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, hard disks, compact Disks (CD), digital Video Disks (DVD), and other magnetic and/or optical storage devices. Examples of volatile memory include, but are not limited to, random Access Memory (RAM) 522, and other volatile memory that does not persist during power outages.

The computer program 530 includes computer-executable instructions that are executed by an associated processor 510. Program 530 may be stored in ROM 520. Processor 510 may perform any suitable actions and processes by loading program 530 into RAM 520.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by means of program 530, such that device 500 may perform any of the processes of the present disclosure as discussed with reference to fig. 2-4. Embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented in hardware, or a combination of software and hardware.

In some embodiments, program 530 may be tangibly embodied in a computer-readable medium, which may be included in device 500 (such as in memory 520), or other storage device accessible to device 500. Device 500 may load program 530 from a computer readable medium into RAM 522 for execution. The computer readable medium may include any type of tangible, non-volatile memory, such as ROM, EPROM, flash memory, hard disk, CD, DVD, etc. Fig. 6 shows an example of a computer readable medium 600 in the form of a CD or DVD. The computer readable medium has a program 530 stored thereon.

In general, the various embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. While various aspects of the embodiments of the disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

The present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The computer program product comprises computer executable instructions (such as instructions included in a program module) that are executed in a device on a target real or virtual processor to perform the methods 300 to 400 as described above with reference to fig. 3 to 4. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. In various embodiments, the functionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules as desired. Machine-executable instructions of program modules may be executed within local or distributed devices. In a distributed device, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage media.

Program code for carrying out the methods of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program code may be provided to a processor or controller of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus such that the program code, when executed by the processor or controller, causes the functions/operations specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram to be implemented. The program code may execute entirely on the machine, partly on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the machine and partly on a remote machine or entirely on the remote machine or server.

In the context of this disclosure, computer program code or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable an apparatus, device or processor to perform the various processes and operations described above. Examples of carriers include signals, computer readable media, and the like.

The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. The computer readable medium may include, but is not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, apparatus or devices, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of a computer-readable storage medium would include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

Moreover, although operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Also, while several specific implementation details are included in the above discussion, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination.

Although the disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A first device, comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code;

the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the first device at least to:

generating assistance information associated with a channel occupancy time, COT, initiated by the first device, the assistance information being used by a second device to determine whether the COT is allowed for transmission by the second device; and

and sending the auxiliary information to the second equipment.

2. The first device of claim 1, wherein the first device is caused to generate the assistance information by:

determining a signal quality threshold based on at least one of:

an energy detection threshold used for a channel access procedure associated with the first device, or

Transmit power associated with another transmission by the first device; and

the assistance information is generated based on the signal quality threshold.

3. The first device of claim 1, wherein the first device is caused to generate the assistance information by:

determining a perceived range of the first device associated with the COT sharing based on an energy detection threshold associated with a transmit power of another transmission of the first device; and

the assistance information is generated based on the perceived range of the first device associated with the COT sharing.

4. The first device of claim 1, wherein the first device is caused to generate the assistance information by:

in accordance with a determination that the second device is a communication target for the first device, determining a perceived range of the first device associated with the COT share based on a location of the second device; and

5. The first device of claim 1, wherein the first device is caused to generate the assistance information by:

In accordance with a determination that the first device received information about another COT initiated by a third device, determining a perceived range of the first device associated with a COT share based on another perceived range of the third device; and

6. The first device of claim 1, wherein the first device is caused to generate the assistance information by:

determining a respective location of the at least one second device based on the area identification information of the at least one second device;

determining a perceived range of the first device associated with the COT share based on the respective locations; and

7. The first device of claim 1, wherein the first device is caused to:

determining a channel busy ratio of the first device; and

based on the channel busy ratio, at least one of the following is determined:

a channel quality threshold; and

a perception range of the first device associated with the COT sharing.

8. The first device of claim 1, wherein the first device is caused to generate the assistance information by:

determining a channel busy ratio of the first device; and

the auxiliary information is generated based on the channel busy ratio.

9. The first device of claim 1, wherein the first device is caused to generate the assistance information by:

determining a mapping between a respective listen-before-talk type associated with the COT and at least one of:

a set of reference signal quality thresholds, or

A set of reference awareness ranges for the first device associated with the COT sharing; and

based on the mapping, the auxiliary information is generated.

10. The first device of claim 1, wherein the first device comprises a terminal device and the second device comprises a terminal device.

11. A second device, comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code;

the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the second device to at least:

Receiving, from a first device, side information associated with a channel occupancy time, COT, initiated by the first device, the side information being used by the second device to determine whether the COT is allowed for transmission by the second device; and

in accordance with a determination that the COT is allowed for transmission, the transmission within the COT is performed.

12. A second device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the second device is further caused to:

acquiring a signal quality threshold from the auxiliary information;

determining an actual signal quality of a reference signal received from the first device; and

in accordance with a determination that the actual signal quality exceeds the signal quality threshold, it is determined that the COT is allowed for the transmission.

13. A second device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the second device is further caused to:

obtaining a perception range of the first device associated with the COT sharing from the assistance information;

determining a positional relationship between the first device and the second device; and

based on the positional relationship, in accordance with a determination that the second device is within the sensing range, it is determined that the COT is allowed for the transmission.

14. A second device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the second device is further caused to:

Obtaining a mapping between the corresponding reference priority value and the reference signal quality threshold set;

determining a target priority value associated with the COT; and

a signal quality threshold is determined based on the target priority value and the mapping.

15. A second device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the second device is further caused to:

obtaining a mapping between respective reference priority values and a set of reference perceived ranges of the first device associated with a COT share;

determining a target priority value associated with the COT; and

based on the target priority value and the mapping, a perceived range of the first device associated with the COT share is determined.

16. A second device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the second device is further caused to:

obtaining a channel busy ratio of the first device from the auxiliary information; and

in accordance with a determination that the channel busy ratio is less than a threshold ratio, it is determined that the COT is allowed for the transmission.

17. A second device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the second device is further caused to:

obtaining, from the assistance information, a mapping between respective listen-before-talk types associated with the COT and a set of reference signal quality thresholds;

Determining an actual signal quality of a reference signal received from the first device;

determining a target listen-before-talk type of the second device to be used for the COT based on the mapping and the actual signal quality; and

a listen-before-talk procedure is performed based on the target listen-before-talk type prior to the transmission.

18. A second device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the second device is further caused to:

obtaining, from the assistance information, a mapping between respective listen-before-talk types associated with the COT and a set of reference perceived ranges of the first device associated with COT sharing;

determining a positional relationship between the first device and the second device;

determining a target listen-before-talk type of the second device to be used for the COT based on the mapping and the positional relationship; and

19. The second device of claim 12, wherein the first device comprises a terminal device and the second device comprises a terminal device.

20. A method, comprising:

generating assistance information associated with a channel occupancy time, COT, initiated by a first device, the assistance information being used by a second device to determine whether the COT is allowed for transmission by the second device; and

And sending the auxiliary information to the second equipment.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein generating the auxiliary information comprises:

determining a signal quality threshold based on at least one of:

Transmit power associated with another transmission by the first device; and

the assistance information is generated based on the signal quality threshold.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein generating the auxiliary information comprises:

23. The method of claim 20, wherein generating the auxiliary information comprises:

determining a perception range of the first device associated with the COT sharing based on a location of the second device according to determining that the second device is a side link communication target of the first device; and

24. The method of claim 20, wherein generating the auxiliary information comprises:

25. The method of claim 20, wherein generating the auxiliary information comprises:

26. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

determining a channel busy ratio of the first device; and

based on the channel busy ratio, at least one of the following is determined:

A channel quality threshold; and

a perception range of the first device associated with the COT sharing.

27. The method of claim 20, wherein generating the auxiliary information comprises:

determining a channel busy ratio of the first device; and

the auxiliary information is generated based on the channel busy ratio.

28. The method of claim 20, wherein generating the auxiliary information comprises:

a set of reference signal quality thresholds, or

based on the mapping, the auxiliary information is generated.

29. The method of claim 20, wherein the first device comprises a terminal device and the second device comprises a terminal device.

30. A method, comprising:

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

acquiring a signal quality threshold from the auxiliary information;

32. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

33. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

determining a target priority value associated with the COT; and

34. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

Determining a target priority value associated with the COT; and

35. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

receiving a channel busy ratio of the first device from the first device; and

36. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

37. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

38. The method of claim 30, wherein the first device comprises a terminal device and the second device comprises a terminal device.

39. An apparatus, comprising:

means for generating auxiliary information associated with a channel occupancy time, COT, initiated by a first device, the auxiliary information being used by a second device to determine whether the COT is allowed for transmission by the second device; and

and means for transmitting the auxiliary information to the second device.

40. An apparatus, comprising:

means for receiving, from a first device, side information associated with a channel occupancy time, COT, initiated by the first device, the side information being used by the second device to determine whether the COT is allowed for transmission by the second device; and

means for performing the transmission within the COT in accordance with determining that the COT is allowed for transmission.

41. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method of any one of claims 20 to 29 or the method of any one of claims 30 to 38.